Emi Buendia is a player who Leeds United have courted for some time now, but it looks as though Daniel Farke might have left it too late.
Leeds United’s interest in Emi Buendia stretches right back to the January transfer window of last season. Buendia was out of favour at Villa Park and Leeds United wanted to sign Buendia on loan and bring him in for their eventual Championship title win.
But Buendia instead joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan where he featured 11 times in the Bundesliga, scoring twice. Although, in the end, Leverkusen decided not to sign Buendia in a deal that would have cost the German side £16.7million: half of the £33million they paid to sign him from Norwich City in 2021.
Going into this summer’s transfer window, it looked as though Buendia was poised to leave Villa. And once again, Leeds United were being linked with a move for the Argentine international, whom Leeds boss Daniel Farke worked with at Norwich City previously.
However, Buendia has been coming back into contention under Unai Emery, with the 28-year-old playing regularly in pre-season.
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Emi Buendia has played himself back into contention at Aston Villa
The last bit of news we had on Buendia to Leeds United came a couple of weeks ago. Reports revealed that Leeds are yet to make a formal approach to sign Buendia, although there was still interest from Elland Road and there was still a chance that Buendia left Aston Villa before the end of the summer transfer window.
However, the tide seems to have changed in the last two weeks. Speaking to Leeds United News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed how Buendia has played himself back into contention under Emery, but that there still remains a chance he leaves the club, albeit likely towards the very end of the window.
Bailey explained: “The no.10 position is fascinating. There’s still so many that are available. Leeds like Buendia, but I’m told by Villa sources that Buendia is playing himself back in contention there. But if the season starts and he doesn’t play in the first two games, he comes back into the window.”
Daniel Farke Leeds manager.
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If Emi Buendia leaves Aston Villa, Leeds United are surely a good bet
Leeds United have needed a new number 10 throughout the start of the year. Back in January, Farke wanted Buendia and Leeds United were even linked with James McAtee.
It suggests that the club want to sign a marquee player for that number 10 position and Buendia could yet be that player. At the time, however, it looked like Buendia wasn’t open to dropping down to the Championship and nor was McAtee.
But with Leeds United now in the Premier League, with more money to spend on transfers and on wages, a move for Buendia all of a sudden looks much more realistic. And given the Farke connection, Buendia to Leeds seems very possible.
Even earlier this summer, Buendia spoke about his relationship with Farke and spoke very positively about the German. Buendia said: “One of the most important coaches in my career. He gave me the chance to join the club, of course.
“For me, the most important thing he gave me as a player, he gave me the confidence to be myself, to enjoy, to feel free on the pitch.”
It looks as though Farke will have to wait till the very end of the summer transfer window to possibly sign Buendia though, and he’ll have to keep an eye on what business Villa do.
If they sign a new number 10 themselves, it might push Buendia down the pecking order, no matter how well he’s performing in pre-season.